India’s Journey In The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 And ODI Series vs New Zealand: Key Takeaways And Future Outlook

India’s exit from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the group stages has triggered a wave of introspection across the cricketing spectrum. The campaign, marked by early struggles and eventual highs, was ultimately marred by inconsistency. After a resounding 58-run loss to New Zealand in their opening match, India rebounded with wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Yet, a narrow loss to Australia sealed their exit from the tournament.

The challenges leading into the World Cup highlighted significant gaps in India’s T20 approach, especially in terms of preparation, consistency, and adaptability.

Key Issues in India’s T20 World Cup Campaign

One of the glaring issues was the lack of a defined No. 3 in the batting lineup. Experimenting with multiple players left the position in a constant state of flux, preventing any player from truly owning the role. Additionally, the inclusion of S Sajana in the lineup without a clear role left the team with a void in strategy.

Another key factor was the lack of form among India’s usual powerhouses. Both Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, vital to India’s aggressive starts, struggled to make an impact. This put additional pressure on Captain Harmanpreet Kaur to deliver, creating an overreliance on her. Richa Ghosh’s failure to fire in critical moments exacerbated the batting woes, as the team struggled to find middle-order stability.

The bowling department, too, faced its own struggles. The pace attack lacked penetration, and the spinners took time to adjust to the conditions, leading to a disjointed performance overall. These factors collectively meant that India’s campaign lacked the cohesion needed to progress deep into the tournament.

A significant point of concern was the lack of match practice before the World Cup. After reaching the Asia Cup final in July, India had no international series scheduled until the World Cup began in October. This three-month break, due to planning oversight by the BCCI, left the team short on preparation—a factor that likely contributed to the team’s lacklustre performance in crucial games.

India’s T20 blueprint appears to hold promise, with players from the domestic circuit and the WPL proving their mettle and earning spots in the national squad. However, unwarranted criticism and excessive negativity from fans during this challenging phase underscored the pressure on players, impacting morale.

Transitioning Focus: The ODI Series vs New Zealand

Four days after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup– India took on New Zealand, the T20 champions, in an ODI series, signalling a quick shift in focus. With the next ICC Women’s ODI World Cup scheduled in India in 2025, India’s approach is currently pivoting towards the ODI format to allow time for recalibration.

Despite losing the second ODI, India claimed a 2-1 series victory. The matches highlighted critical areas that the team needs to address but also showcased promising performances from emerging talents.

Shafali Verma’s struggle with consistency remained a point of concern in ODIs, as she continued to be out of form. However, Yastika Bhatia’s steady performance at No. 3 offered hope, as she seems to be settling well in this crucial role, bringing much-needed stability to the top order. Meanwhile, Jemimah Rodrigues, despite several promising starts, was unable to convert them into substantial innings, underscoring the middle-order’s struggles to capitalize on opportunities.

Newcomers, however, injected fresh energy into the squad. Tejal Hasabnis, who debuted in this series, showcased poise and skill, marking herself as a valuable addition to the middle order. Another debutant, Saima Thakor, impressed with her composed approach and solid bowling, indicating that she could be a reliable player in future campaigns. Additionally, Priya Mishra’s emergence as a leg-spinner adds depth to India’s spin arsenal, hinting at a stronger bowling attack in the future.

The pace department demonstrated encouraging signs of improvement, with Arundhati Reddy and Renuka Singh Thakur finding form. The addition of Saima Thakor to this lineup bolstered the attack, providing greater flexibility in options and a promising balance between pace and spin.

SEE ALSO: “If The Selectors Decide To Change, I Would Go For A Young Captain” – Mithali Raj Following India’s Poor Show In The T20 World Cup

What Next?

With India’s next scheduled series set for December against Australia, some key players are staying match-ready by competing in the WBBL, while others have returned to the domestic circuit. This dual approach keeps players in rhythm: those in the WBBL benefit from intense international competition, while those in domestic cricket continue to refine their form and skills. Both paths ensure that India’s squad remains prepared and sharp as they build toward the high-stakes series against Australia.

Having six Indian players, including national regulars Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Dayalan Hemalatha, Yastika Bhatia, and Deepti Sharma, competing in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) brings tremendous benefits to both the players and Indian women’s cricket as a whole.

Playing in the WBBL allows these players to immerse themselves in high-intensity matches, where they can experience different conditions, face top-tier international opponents, and learn from elite coaches. This exposure not only hones their skills but also broadens their tactical understanding, an experience they bring back to enrich the Indian team’s strategies and cohesion.

Furthermore, the WBBL’s spotlight strengthens the profile of Indian women’s cricket globally, inspiring young talent in India to aspire to similar platforms. The collective learning these players gain from the WBBL is invaluable as India prepares for future international tournaments.

Path to 2025 – Lessons, Improvements, and Preparation

However, India’s exit from the T20 World Cup presents an opportunity for introspection, planning, and rebuilding ahead of the next Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026. Addressing structural gaps, such as establishing consistency in the batting order and developing a well-rounded bowling unit, will be critical to India’s success in the next cycle.

The T20 template India aims to implement aligns with international standards but requires consistent execution and the ability to adapt. The domestic setup and the Women’s Premier League continue to foster and nurture top talent, and a focus on better-integrated player pathways will ensure these players are match-ready for the international stage.

As India also builds toward future tournaments, strategic scheduling and ample match practice should be prioritized to avoid the pitfalls of this year. The 2-1 ODI series win against New Zealand may be seen as a small but vital step in the right direction, providing young players with the experience and confidence they need to perform on the international stage.

The focus shifts now to the road to the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, and with a clearer vision, the Indian team has every chance to come back stronger, more resilient, and ready to thrive at the highest level.

---

Click Here to get the latest news related to Women’s Cricket. You can also check about Match predictions here. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more updates.